A total of 534,744 powered-two and three-wheelers were registered during the first five months of 2016 in the EU. This represents an increase of 5.5% compared to the 507,106 vehicles registered during the same period of 2015.

Motorcycle registrations

Cumulative motorcycle registrations grew by 8.5% during the first five months of 2016 on a year-on year basis. A total of 416,938 motorcycles were registered between January and May 2016, against 384,366 during the same period of 2015. Year-on-year motorcycle registrations increased in the largest European markets, including Italy (93,730 units, 18.5%), Spain (55,768 units, +13.1%), UK (48,571 units, +8.5%), Germany (81,206 units, +3%) and France (69,607 units, +1.4%).

Moped registrations

A total of 117,806 mopeds were registered during the first five months of 2016 in the EU, whilst 122,740 had been registered during the same period of 2015. This represents a decrease of 4%. Moped registrations increased in the Netherlands (25,803 units, +3.2%) and Italy (9,812 units, +2.6%). They decreased in France (29,989 units, -1.4%), Germany (13,667 units, -3.4%) and Poland (8,925 units, -27.2%).

Motorcycle registrations in the largest EU markets - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK - grew by 8.8% during the first give months of 2016, compared to the same period of 2015, reaching more than 348,800 units.

A total of 408,362 powered-two and three-wheelers were registered during the first four months of 2016 in the EU.

This represents an increase of 4.7% compared to the 390,179 vehicles registered during the same period of 2015 Registrations performed positively in most key markets, including Italy (75,699 units, 16.7%), Spain (46,240 units, +14.5%), UK (39,738 units, +8.8%) and Germany (73,688 units, +0.6%). They decreased in France (75,444 units, -0.1%).

Motorcycle registrations

Cumulative motorcycle registrations grew by 7.9% during the first four months of 2016 on a year-on year basis. A total of 321,085 motorcycles were registered between January and April 2016, against 297,577 during the same period of 2015.Year-on-year motorcycle registrations increased in most key European markets, including Italy (68,482 units, 18.8%), Spain (41,753 units, +15.9%), the UK (37,134 units, +9.9%), Germany (62,980 units, +1.2%) and France (52,465 units, +0.4%).

Moped registrations

A total of 87,277 mopeds were registered during the first four months of 2016 in the EU, whilst 92,602 had been registered during the same period of 2015. This represents a decrease of 5.8%. Moped registrations increased in the Netherlands (18,821 units, +0.8%) but decreased in Italy (7,217 units, 0.3%), France (22,979 units, -1.1%), Germany (10,688 units, -2.9%) and Poland (5,815 units, -32.8%).

Motorcycle registrations in the largest EU markets - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK - grew by 8.6% during the first four months of 2016, compared to the first four months of 2015, reaching more than 262,800 units.

The strongest performance was recorded in Italy (+18.8%, 68,482 units), followed by Spain (15.9%, 41,753 units).

MCIA, the Motor Cycle Industry Association of the United Kingdom, will run between 20 May and 26 May its campaign ‘Ride to Work’.

The campaign encourages all motorcycle and scooter riders across the UK to take to the roads and ride to work to promote the benefits of commuting by motorcycle or scooter and to show other commuters just how easy and convenient powered two-wheel travel is.

The main benefits of commuting by powered-two or powered-three wheeler include:

• Reduced travelling times

• Reduced fuel consumption and, therefore, affordable mobility

• Less pressure on parking places and lower congestion levels in urban settings

The International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association, IMMA, has elected yesterday Mr Stephan Schaller as its new President.

The decision was taken by IMMA’s General Assembly, hosted by the Federation of Asian Motorcycle Industries (FAMI) and the Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association (AISI).

Mr Schaller, President of BMW Motorrad, who currently serves as President of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM), will hold the IMMA Presidency for a period of two years, from May 2016 to May 2018. He succeeds Mr Paul Jones from the United States Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (USMMA), who secured the IMMA Presidency from May 2014 to May 2016.

A mechanical engineer by training, Mr Stephan Schaller has more than 30 years of experience in the automotive sector. Since 2012, he is the President of BMW Motorrad, the motorcycle division of BMW Group, and serves as ACEM President since 2013. He was also Vice-president of IMMA between May 2015 and May 2016.

Upon accepting the appointment Mr Stephan Schaller said:

“It is a privilege and an honour to take over the IMMA Presidency. On behalf of all members, I thank Paul Jones for his leadership as President over the last two years.”

“During my mandate, I will continue strengthening IMMA’s role as the trusted global voice of motorcycle manufacturers.”

About the International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA).

IMMA represents the combined skills and interests of the powered two- and three-wheelers manufacturing industry at the global level. IMMA members include regional and national industry associations representing the industry in Australia, Canada, Europe, India, Japan, South-East Asia and the United States.

About the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM).

ACEM is the professional body representing the interests of the L-category vehicle industry in Europe (i.e. mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles, quadricycles). ACEM members include 15 manufacturing companies as well as 17 national associations based in 14 European countries. About 156,300 jobs in the EU depend on the L-category industry.

A total of 267,667 powered-two and three-wheelers were registered during the first three months of 2016 in the EU. This represents an increase of 6.5% compared to the 251,420 vehicles registered during the same period of 2016.

Motorcycle registrations

Cumulative motorcycle registrations grew by 7.8% during the first three months of 2016 on a year-on year basis. A total of 205,258 motorcycles were registered between January and March 2016, against 190,429 during the same period of 2015.